A STOURBRIDGE builder has been hit hard after thieves stole nearly all of his tools, totalling around £6,000, from his van when it was parked on the Penfields estate last night (Monday).

Richard Langford said it was the second time in three months that his 2014 Vauxhall Movano had been broken into and he had only recently got brand new emergency dead locks fitted to help keep the vehicle safe.

The latest incident happened last night (Monday January 14) some time between 5.30pm and 8pm in Stamford Road when Richard had parked the van near his friend's house.

He said: "I made sure I kept it by the road and under a light."

Stourbridge News:

But he returned to find the van damaged and the locks broken and all of his tools in the back had been taken.

He said: "Upset isn't even the word. They've taken everything. I can't work today."

Richard, who runs Richard Langford Building Services (pictured below), added: "I've only been in business three years and I'm trying to build up a brand. This is going to put me back a year.

Stourbridge News:

"With the damage to the van as well it's likely to be upwards of £10,000 that this is going to cost."

He said it was "very, very rare" for him to have left all of his tools in the van and he added: "It's extremely unlucky."

Some of the tools taken were "quite rare and expensive" he said, adding: "There was a Makita LS1019 Mitre Saw and I only bought it in November and there won't be many up for sale."

West Midlands Police have confirmed they are investigating the theft and have urged anyone with any information to contact police via Live Chat at west-midlands.police.uk between 8am and midnight or call 101, or Crimestoppers (anonymously) on 0800 555 111 and quote crime reference 20DY/11570J/19.

Meanwhile - neighbourhood police have warned people in the Withymoor and Penfields area to be vigilant following a number of reports of vehicle crimes in the area.

PCSO Kayleigh Harrison urged people to ensure their vehicles are locked and secure, ideally with steering wheel locks, and to "ensure all valuables are not on display and removed from your vehicles - i.e. satnavs, bags, money, bank cards, tools etc".